Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Bestowal of Rewards
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Chae Yeom accepted my confession, but she said she needed time to persuade the family elders and send word to her father in exile.
I decided to respect her wishes. In exchange, I assigned the men who had journeyed with me from Bing Province and shared hardships along the way to serve as her escorts under Go Sun's command.
Since they had called me "General" and followed me loyally, they would surely protect her with their lives.
And so, time passed peacefully in the capital until, one day, an imperial edict finally arrived from the palace.
It summoned all the generals who had quelled the Yang Province rebellion to the grand audience hall.
The imperial audience hall was packed with generals come to report their victories and civil officials hoping to snag scraps from them.
The Emperor sat upon his jade throne, nodding in satisfaction as he first praised Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi for their achievements.
"Thanks to the seasoned wisdom of you two veterans, we were able to sweep away those vile rebels. Your merits are truly great! Left General Lu Zhi shall be appointed Minister of Works, and Right General Zhu Jun shall become Commandant of the Guards, both to assist me at court!"
"We are immensely grateful for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
As the two elders bowed in thanks and withdrew, the Emperor's gaze turned to me.
"Cavalry Captain Lu Bu."
The Emperor eyed me with keen interest.
"I once told you that the next time I heard your name, it had better come with a report of a rebel leader's head on a pike. And yet here you are—you've truly beheaded a rebel and forced me to remember your name again!"
He continued in a slightly playful tone.
"But you squandered all the merits you earned in the Yellow Turban Rebellion just to save one eunuch. Is that loyalty of yours... still as steadfast as ever?"
"How could I not be loyal to Your Majesty, father of all beneath Heaven?"
The Emperor shook his head regretfully at my response.
"If only you'd held out a bit longer... Well, your knack for winning hearts is impressive, at any rate. I had half a mind to make you a Gentleman Consultant just to hear your voice more often."
'No way... he was serious?'
Yang Biao's insight was no joke. As I inwardly cursed, the Emperor dropped the jest and proclaimed solemnly.
At his side, the court historian raised his brush, ready to record the Emperor's words.
"Hear ye! Cavalry Captain Lu Bu beheaded Generals Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao in the Yellow Turban Rebellion but humbly declined to claim those merits himself, refusing the generous rewards I offered!"
'Wait, what? He's really writing it down like that in the history books?'
I was floored by the Emperor's sheer audacity.
My decision to forfeit my achievements to save Ye Gang was being spun into a heartwarming tale of "humbly declining honors" to save face for the Emperor.
The Emperor pressed on.
"Furthermore, he boldly called himself my son and joined the perilous campaign to suppress Yang Province, ultimately beheading the rebel leader Northern Palace White Jade—a tremendous feat! Even his own humility cannot deny him rewards now. I appoint Cavalry Captain Lu Bu as Administrator of Zhangye Commandery!"
A murmur rippled through the assembled ministers and generals at the word "Administrator."
For someone so young—and a mere martial officer, no less—to be given command of an entire commandery was unprecedented.
But a few veteran officials familiar with Yang Province affairs just clicked their tongues. "Zhangye, of all places..."
I stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I am immensely grateful for Your Majesty's boundless grace!"
The Emperor descended from his throne, personally placing a hand on my shoulder to raise me up. Then, in a whisper meant only for me:
"Tell the Yang Province Governor I received his sentiments loud and clear. Haha!"
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty!"
More names were called after that.
"Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuan De, step forward!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Finally, Liu Bei's name was called. He approached with a beaming smile. But the Emperor offered only light praise and a cash reward—no office, despite his desperate hopes.
I didn't miss the faint crack in Liu Bei's facade.
'Tough break... he really got nothing.'
As the ceremony ended and we filed out of the hall, I recalled the Emperor's parting laugh.
'I've met all sorts, but this guy's the first one who actually feels like an emperor.'
I couldn't fathom how such a man had become Emperor.
After the rewarding ceremony at the palace, I stepped outside.
The area was still abuzz with noise. Amid the clamor, I called for Go Sun, who was overseeing Chae Yeom's escorts.
How much time passed? Go Sun approached and saluted with unflinching poise.
I deliberately addressed him by his full title.
"Bing Province Adjutant."
"You summoned me, Administrator?"
Go Sun replied without a flicker.
"You've served well these past days. I'm heading to Zhangye soon. As a warrior from Bing Province, if you wish, I can put in a word with the Bing Province office to have you reassigned there. Or... do you have no desire to serve me?"
Even at my direct question, Go Sun's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he calmly countered.
"Why... do you covet a mere subordinate like me?"
"...What?"
"To be frank, I don't understand. You already have warriors far braver and more skilled than I by your side. So why me...?"
His question was genuine humility, not false modesty. I stared at him for a moment, then chuckled.
"Go Sun, among all the officers I've seen, you're the first who's followed my orders silently and executed them flawlessly."
"......"
"Among those around me... excluding Zhang Liao and you, there's no one I can trust at my back."
For the first time, a faint tremor crossed Go Sun's stoic face.
He stood silent for a long while, then knelt on one knee before me, as if resolved.
"...I shall serve you as my lord."
"Thank you."
I nodded.
"I can't offer you a grand position right now. But I promise this: I'll see you rise higher than where you started."
Go Sun shook his head.
"I have no interest in wealth or glory. I only wish... to leave my name etched in the world."
I burst into hearty laughter at his reply.
"Hahaha! You think you'll make a name following me?"
"Yes, my lord."
I extended my hand to the kneeling Go Sun. He hesitated briefly before grasping it and rising.
"Good. I promise: your name shall be carved across the realm alongside mine."
"Thank you, my lord!"
I had gained a warrior more reliable than any to guard my back.
Busy days followed my appointment as Administrator, preparing to depart for Zhangye.
At the mansion Yang Biao had provided, I was drilling my men for the long journey ahead.
"Administrator! Chief Attendant Ye Gang has come to see you."
"What? Lord Ye Gang? Bring him in at once!"
"Yes, sir!"
I hurriedly prepared to receive the guest. Ye Gang entered with his usual sly, fox-like smile.
"Hohoho. Congratulations on becoming Administrator. Even this old man didn't expect you'd claim a whole commandery at such a young age."
"It's all thanks to Your Majesty's high regard for my service."
Ye Gang tsked at my reply.
"No need to feed me such dull lines. Do you know how much the Grand General and Minister Zhang are grinding their teeth outside the hall right now?"
"...Ahem, I'm not aware of any grudge between myself and the Grand General or Minister Zhang..."
"You may not have picked a fight, but if they've taken offense, it's as good as one. Anyway, I'm not here for tedious politics."
Ye Gang shifted topics, poking my side with a lecherous grin.
"Hohoho. Word is, you tried to claim that spitfire daughter of Bai Gai's? If Bai Gai finds out, he might come grabbing this old man's collar first."
"Ahem, what do you mean...?"
I cleared my throat and played dumb.
"My ears are everywhere in the capital—what are you hiding? Don't worry. I looked into it; it was her relatives acting on their own. Bai Gai's no man to sell his daughter for freedom from exile."
"......"
"And... well... Bai Gai would probably be delighted to have a son-in-law like you, not displeased."
"R-Really? My master would...?"
Ye Gang guffawed at my startled question.
"Hohoho. I'll write him a fine letter, so prepare to welcome your bride, new groom. Planning the wedding in remote Zhangye, are you?"
"T-Truly, I haven't thought it through. I just... blurted it out in the heat of the moment..."
Ye Gang tsked and scolded my fumbling reply.
"Tsk tsk tsk! That's why you young bucks act without thinking! Marriage is one of the great rites of human relations—what good is it without preparation?"
He eyed me pitifully for a moment, then sighed in resignation.
"I heard you struck a good deal with the Yang Province Governor, so I'll write him too. He'll handle the wedding preparations—just hold the ceremony properly here in the capital."
"Thank you, my lord! This is a grace like that of a father—!"
"Hoho! Father, indeed. Well, you're half a son to me anyway. But... I nearly forgot something crucial."
Ye Gang's face grew serious, and I tilted my head.
"What's left?"
He leaned in and whispered gravely in my ear.
"You... haven't already consummated the marriage on the first night, have you?"
My face burned red; I was speechless.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Can't even manage that much manhood! If only mine were still intact...!"
"Wouldn't that get your head chopped off?"
"Hey! Don't you get metaphors? Tsk tsk tsk, these youngsters nowadays..."
Ye Gang lectured me at length.
I visited Chae Yeom's home again.
To inform her that Lord Ye Gang would assist with the marriage and that I had to depart for Zhangye soon.
In the study, after hearing me out, Chae Yeom's face mixed surprise and relief. Then, resolute, she met my eyes squarely.
"I've already made my intentions clear to the family elders. And sent a letter to Father."
"...What intentions?"
Chae Yeom averted her gaze shyly.
"Even if Father and the relatives refuse... there's only one man in my heart, and I won't let that change."
I was startled by her bold resolve but also worried.
"...Even so, you really plan to follow me all the way to distant Zhangye Commandery? It's far harsher than the capital."
"Aren't husband and wife meant to face hardships together? How could I stay safe in the capital while my husband ventures alone into danger?"
With that, Chae Yeom glanced at me and checked for sounds outside, then cautiously sat beside me.
About a single step away.
She said nothing more, just bowed her head slightly and peeked at me with expectant eyes.
I couldn't help but smile.
I quietly moved behind her and gently embraced her.
Her shoulders twitched at my sudden action. But she didn't pull away—instead, she leaned softly into me.
Her nape flushed bright red. We stayed like that, silently sharing warmth for a long moment.
—Bang!
The study door flew open.
"Sister! Brother-in-law! Dinner is... oh my."
—It was Chae Jeonghui.
"Kyaa!"
Chae Yeom shrieked and wriggled to escape my arms. I calmly regarded Chae Jeonghui without a hint of panic.
Chae Jeonghui sighed in exasperation.
"Sigh, if my sister gets this shy over a hug, how will she survive the wedding night...?"
"Y-You, you, you! What are you saying...!!"
Chae Yeom's face turned beet red; she couldn't even finish, charging at Chae Jeonghui like steam might pour from her ears. She chased her sister out of the study.
"Hahaha!"
I couldn't stop laughing at the lively sisters.